City Commissioner David Shaffer (right) proposed an amendment to change the city's health insurance coverage to exclude abortions.

Lindsey Smith
/ Michigan Radio

Despite some public pressure, Grand Rapids City Commissioners declined to support a proposal that would restrict abortion coverage for city workers. A group turned in more than a thousand signatures in favor of the proposal last month.

Health insurance for Grand Rapids city workers does not cover any elective surgeries. So abortions are only covered when deemed “medically necessary”. The proposal would’ve defined that to mean only in cases of rape, incest and to protect the health of the mother.

After an hour and half of impassioned public testimony on both sides of the issue Tuesday night the mayor turned to the board. But not one commissioner agreed to bring City Commissioner David Shaffer’s proposal to a vote.

Shaffer didn’t say much during the meeting. Afterwards he said he did the right thing bringing the proposal to the table.

“I believe we’re elected and we don’t chose which issues come before us or not; especially when dealing with taxpayer funds,” Shaffer said.

The proposal stemmed from complaints that taxpayer money could pay for abortions through the heath care plan for city workers.

Adrienne Urban lives in Grand Rapids. She spoke in support of the proposal. She’s disappointed but glad the issue was brought up.

“I hope I gave some people things to think about because I think these are big issues. They’re obviously big issues or there wouldn’t be this kind of turnout,” Urban said.

Shaffer say he doesn’t plan to push the issue unless other elected leaders change their minds.

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Protesters in pink shirts filled the lawn of the state Capitol and packed the gallery of the state House today.

They were protesting a group of anti-abortion bills to be voted on this week by the House. The legislation would outlaw terminating a pregnancy after 20 weeks. It would also require clinics to be inspected, and impose new restrictions on abortion providers.

“Frankly, these bills terrify me,” said Susie Simons of East Lansing. I’m completely afraid to get pregnant if these bills pass because if anything happens to me past 20 weeks I either have to die or carry a dead baby. So, I’m really terrified for my safety and for so many other women.”

A group of about 20 abortion opponents also lined up on the other side of the walkway leading to the Capitol.

“I am a strong believer in life and I believe the baby’s rights should be protected and I really want these bills to go through because I think they are also helping women. They are protecting them at the same time as the baby, too,” said Jennah Sailor, a member of the University of Michigan chapter of Students for Life.

The measures would forbid terminating a pregnancy after 20 weeks, and would impose new restrictions on clinics and abortion providers. Abortion rights advocates say the measures would force some clinics that provide an array of services to women to shut down.

The measures are up for House votes as soon as tomorrow.

They are expected to pass since a substantial majority of state House members are endorsed by anti-abortion groups.

The state House has approved measures that would make it a crime to threaten or coerce a woman to have an abortion.

The measures would cover threats of physical violence, but also withdrawing housing or financial support if a woman does not end a pregnancy.

Republican state Rep. Bruce Rendon spoke in favor of the measures.

“When a woman or a young girl is threatened of losing a lifeline, whether it’s shelter, financial support, or even a brief period of calm between incidents of emotional or physical abuse, let’s be clear, that is extortion,” Rendon said.

Critics of the measure say it should offer similar protections to women who are threatened or assaulted if they want to end a pregnancy.